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Matt’s Monologue: Quiet Deadline Day

I was pleased to see transfer deadline day pass without any rash signings made by Tranmere.

I know a lot of fans would have rather see some money spent somewhere. If you have a quick browse of the internet, many think the current Rovers squad is a striker light.

But it has not been for the want of trying. Gary Brabin has been working tirelessly to bring in a target man and was ten minutes away from bringing in one player before he decided to sign for another club instead.

So he is still looking and in just a couple of days time the loan window opens once again, giving lower league clubs the chance to bring somebody in on a 93 day deal.

I am fairly certain that will be the market Tranmere are looking to exploit now. It could be the missing piece in the jigsaw that turns them into even stronger force when it comes to the promotion race.

The key message though has been that they will not rush into signing just anyone. They want the right player who fits the bill.

Now of course this goes for every manager in almost every situation. But it does show Rovers are learning from the mistakes of the past.

Gary was not at Prenton Park last year, but he will be only too aware of the influx of players in January that was arguably the turning point in Tranmere’s season.

At one point, it looked like Micky Adams’ side would canter way from the relegation zone.

But come February, with the likes of Rob Taylor, Lee Molyneux, Iain Hume and Adam Dugdale brought in, results took a turn for the worse.

Do not get me wrong, I am in no way blaming those lads for Rovers’ relegation. They are all solid players who have plenty of experience and enough ability to compete in League Two, if not above.

But effectively going into the most important run of games in the club’s history with half a team who did not know each other cannot have helped whatsoever.

This year, Tranmere have taken a fresh approach. There has been the odd addition to the squad since the start of the season, with the likes of Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Steve McNulty coming in.

They off course took some time to gel, but it is beginning to click, and the result is five wins from the last six games.

That equilibrium does not want disturbing. If it is, it could really push back the challenge for a play-off place.

Gary Brabin, Mark Palios and co are only too aware of that. So they are waiting. And I am sure when the right man is available, they will snap him up, and it will make all the difference.

The tools are already in place. It is just about utilising them.

After all, when I asked Gary if not bringing in a new striker in the window would damage the push for promotion, he simply said: “certainly not.”